Missing Pontefract cat is found 30 miles from home

Holly Gittins

A cat who went missing from his home in Pontefract six weeks ago has been found almost 30 miles from home.

Diggle, a two-year-old black and white cat, went missing from the Parkins’ home in Pontefract on Saturday, October 6, and had not been seen since.

So the family were shocked to receive a call to tell them that their cat had been found in Sheffield, more than 30 miles away.

“We always let him out, he’s an outdoor cat,” said Rachael Parkin. “My husband let him out about 2am and then I went to church on the Sunday. I’d called him and he’d not come in, and when I got back he was still not here.”

It had been more than six weeks since Diggle had first gone missing. He had been found in Sheffield, close to Hillsborough, where a vet had scanned his microchip to access the Parkins' contact details.

Though he has lost some weight, Diggle is otherwise healthy, and will receive a full health check from the vet before Rachael picks him up on Thursday.

She said: "Who knows where he’s been, or what he’s seen, or what he’s done.